Glimmer of hope for town ambulance station's future

[EMT City Administrator]

The future looks brighter for Retford's threatened ambulance station after service bosses agreed to work alongside local campaigners to find a solution.

Save Our Station (SOS) spokeswoman and ward councillor Adele Mumby had a meeting with EMAS chief executive Phil Milligan in which the proposed closure of Retford's North Road ambulance base was discussed. The ex-town mayor put forward suggestions which could see the five-bay building saved from the restructurer's axe.

"I have a few ideas that Mr Milligan agreed were worth looking into - it seems likely that the nearest 'hub' could remain in Worksop rather than Mansfield, so Retford would still have to lose its facilities to re-stock the vehicles," said the East Retford North representative. The issue EMAS have is to do with the cost of keeping open a building that only has two of the five bays in use; but he agreed North Road is a good location."

Although EMAS chiefs have considered moving the ambulance fleet into a 'shared hub' with other emergency services, Adele has suggested that firefighters currently based at the Wharf Road fire station could instead relocate to the more accessible North Road facility's surplus bays.

"There is an issue with traffic and access at the fire station site, from North Road it is easy to get out of the town. Mr Milligan is going to ask his planners to look into the idea as he has agreed that our present location is the best."

"At the moment, it is looking like Retford has a good chance of remaining open, with some reduced services, while Worksop will be the 'hub'. I'd like to thank everyone who has supported SOS - this progress shows what we can do if we work together, " she added.

EMAS has extended the consultation period until it makes a decision on Retford's future.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.

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